Below, there are some useful instructions and technical advice for new happy owners and potential users of Mobildom houses. So, what does it look like in practice?
Mobildom delivers the mobile houses to the customer’s plot. This is usually preceded by a site visit. Legal requirements are met, permits are obtained and the transport is insured. A licensed pilot is present during the transport of the house. While the truck is preparing to enter the plot, traffic on the road nearby is stopped by the pilot who supervises the entire transport (if required). Then, the truck pulls up as close as possible to the entrance of the plot and the house is pulled off the semi-trailer with the use of, e.g., a small tractor, which, thanks to its dimensions and twistability, offers much greater manoeuvrability. A tractor with a driver is provided locally by the customer. Each mobile house has an adjustable steel tow bar that can be mounted on its both sides. In this way, the tractor can be attached to either side of the house. Of great importance are the several-meter ramps provided by Mobildom, which make it possible to pull the hose down the semi-trailer easily. This solution makes it easy to pull the mobile house off the semi-trailer and arrange it on the target spot on the plot.
The surface should be paved as it is an all-year-round house, well insulated and thus also heavy (an empty house weighs several tonnes, and it can weigh up to 10,000 kg once furnished). In its central point, where the axles and wheels are located, there is a particularly large pressure on the ground, which means that it could sink into soft, e.g., rain and snow-soaked ground. Attention should also be paid to the width of the entrance, it should be at least one meter wider than the house, for safety reasons. Within the entrance to the plot, there must be no protruding branches of trees or bushes that could damage the house (especially its facade or roof). It is the customer’s responsibility to check the plot and remove any obstacles that could damage the house.
Before the house arrives, the customer prepares a concrete base (minimum width 2.5 m and length of the size of the ordered house) that reaches deep into the ground (at least 20 cm, depending on the type of ground) to ensure complete stability of the mobile house that will rest on it, keeping in mind, in particular, that it’s for all-year-round use. Alternatively, Jumbo road slabs (but only for small, lighter houses) may be arranged on the ground, or 6-8 concrete curbs may be placed in spots agreed with Mobildom. However, the ground slabs are the best solution as they ensure even distribution of the load (and vibrations) of the building, regardless of the type of ground at the site, thus facilitating the subsequent levelling of the house.
Already at the design stage, it is necessary to plan where the connections (electrical installation and water and sewage connection) will be located. The utilities must be prepared on the plot in advance, so that they can be connected to the universal outlets once the house is delivered to its destination. This is the duty of the customer All utility outlets are located under the house.
It is also worth remembering that none of the parts of the steel frame of the house can be located below the ground level as it may cause its corrosion (despite the use of specialised preparations dedicated to protecting the critical surface), and the lack of regular air circulation under the floor of the house may result in soaking, and slow rotting afterwards, of the wood used for the construction. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to close the space between the floor of the house and the ground, e.g., with a frame with tightly mounted PIR boards, without properly prepared openings or ventilation slots. The way of development of that space must be consulted with Mobildom. Obviously, it is possible (as long as it is done properly without posing a risk of damage to the material used for the construction) and it improves the external visual qualities (the house looks like an object attached to the ground).
The mobile house must be levelled as soon as it is unloaded. Otherwise its structure would be at risk. The house should be supported at the points agreed with Mobildom (unless this service was ordered by the customer for an extra charge). Adjustable steel supports and/or concrete blocks and c24 wooden wedges should be used for that purpose. The wheels must be relieved of weight or removed. The tools and accessories necessary for levelling are:
- adjustable supports (the so-called 6-tonne trestles) and/or concrete blocks + wooden wedges
- jack with a load capacity of at least 8 t, jack pad,
- screeding level min. 200 cm/spirit level/construction laser level.
The house should be lifted with a jack to such a height that a support can be placed freely. A jack pad should be used while the house is lifted to avoid damaging its structure. Then, the house needs to be placed on an appropriate number of supports (minimum 6, preferably 8) and/or concrete blocks (from 16 pcs – depending on the need). Transfer the level from the highest support to the next one using a spirit level.
Please note!
After a period of approximately 2-3 months from the initial foundation (and earlier, as soon as the house is furnished, e.g., after adding weight to the structure), the levelling of the house should be checked properly again, and also before each periodic use of the house, not less often than every year. The reason why a small house settles over time, even on a proper foundation slab, is not only the increase of its weight once its furnished but also the fact that the ground dries, becomes dump, freezes and thaws as the seasons go by and the house is subjected to the pressure of the whole structure.
Additional NOTE: The windows (and doors) of the house are adjusted during the construction works and should open properly (smoothly without resistance) after the appropriate levelling of the house as recommended here. If a service of foundation and levelling of the house after delivery was purchased from Mobildom, this is included only once in the total cost and any further assistance from Mobildom in that respect is subject to extra charges. The same applies to the adjustment of windows, doors and furniture – this is a one-time service performed after the assembly carried out by Mobildom. Then, according to the terms and conditions – the maintenance of those elements is the responsibility of the user.
- After foundation and levelling, the house is ready for the next stages. The next step is to connect the house to the media with the assistance of an electrician and plumber and to install rain gutters by the customer, unless this service was ordered from the manufacturer – Mobildom. The installation of PVC gutters is an urgent (max. within 30 days of the delivery of the house) and necessary action, not to have the wooden facade of the house flooded with dirty rainwater. Rainwater can cause irreversible damage in a short period of time (damp patches, changes in the shape of facade boards, their pulling apart or bulging).
- The house is usually painted twice from the outside at the stage of its manufacture, manually and carefully, by Mobildom employees, each facade board is covered with a dedicated preparation. It is the customer’s responsibility to use the same varnish, indicated in the purchase agreement, a third time, on the entire surface of exterior walls, within 6 months of receiving the house. The wood has to be covered with the varnish three times to be protected; it is recommended to paint the house again approximately 2-3 years afterwards. If a Kerrafront facade is used, there is no need for waterproofing. Refreshing is done by washing with clean water, with no agents.
- Due to weather conditions (wind, snow, rain), it is recommended to install a canopy above the entrance door to the house, so as not to expose the outer layer of the wall to excessive erosion. It is also advisable to install an angle door stopper, which will protect the hinges of the front door from strong gusts and blasts of wind.
- It is important to check the tightness of siphons and drain pipes (sink, shower, toilet) before starting the main water circuit. Minor unsealing might occur in the house (as a result of a violation of the structure of installation) during pipe clamping performed by a plumber outside the house.
- If the house is not to be used in winter (it is typically intended for summer recreation), the following measures should be taken: the main water supply to the house should be shut off, the water from the house and boiler circuits should be discharged (there is a specially fitted valve for that purpose under the house), all taps/faucets should be left open (to ensure air circulation), a kilogram of common salt should be poured down the toilet. The water and sewage system protected in that way can be left for the period of frost.
- Connectors:
There is a panel box (electrical switchgear) with fuses at the entrance door to the house. The installation is usually a 3-phase one (1-phase only if the customer indicates so in the order). The installation consists of approximately 12-14 circuits (for light with 10 A protection, for standard power outlets and 400 V power outlets – 16 A protection and a residual current device). The cable supplying the switchgear must be a square copper wire with a cross-section of min. 5×4 mm (the cable supplying electricity to the house), with the protection of min. 20 A or more. The wiring in the walls runs downwards (from the ceiling to the floor), vertically, so drilling the panelling in a straight line above power outlets or power switches (for example, to hang furniture) may damage the electrical installation.
The parameters of the water and sewage system: water supply – PEX pipe with a diameter of 16 mm, drain pipes – 100 mm and 3×50 mm (toilet, kitchen sink and washbasin with shower). For houses used all year round, a qualified plumber hired by the customer must insulate the pipes outside the house (deep down – until the level where the ground starts freezing) – using a specialist coating of appropriate thickness.
Please note: Failure to comply with the above-mentioned basic technical requirements and instructions results in the loss or limitation of warranty claims. Mobildom has the right not to consider complaints related to potential defects arising from the customer’s failure to comply with the key recommendations listed above.
- Heating – mobile houses are small in size, so they can be heated in an easy, quick (and cheap) way. The simplest solution is to install electric convector heaters or infrared heaters in the houses. They are small, thin, practically all models have a thermostat and they look good hung on the wall. Buying radiators does not involve high costs and their installation is simple. It is enough to connect the heaters to the power outlet to enjoy the warm air in a short time. Obviously, air conditioning is more expensive but this is also a good solution for a small space. It produces cool air on hot days and successfully warms up the living room on colder days. For lovers of fireplaces or goat stoves, there is also good news – you can be a happy owner of one in your mobile home, provided that fire-resistant elements are installed on the walls, ceiling and floor and you won’t forget to insulate the chimney.
- Ventilation – thanks to the high-quality raw material used in our houses, which is Scandinavian wood, they are naturally ventilated thanks to the difference in temperature and air density inside and outside the house. Circulation is possible thanks to the good design of the house as well as the layout of the rooms. However, since additional mechanical ventilation in the rooms is very important (for example, to get rid of unpleasant odour from the kitchen), we install gravity ventilators and electric fans at a customer’s request. Either way, ventilation of the house and air exchange is extremely important because the lack of it causes dampness and consequently, after a longer period of time, fungus in the rooms, which has adverse health effects.
- Lighting – the space of the house has been designed to make the rooms as functional as possible. Installation of LED lighting will save space. Luminaires will give character to the interior. Here, an important criterion is also energy efficiency, versatility (3 colours of light), durability, high quality of light and service life. Therefore, we recommend that type of lighting.
- Warranty – according to the contractual provisions, Mobildom grants a twenty-four-month warranty for the construction of the house, i.e., facade, panelling, insulation, chassis, roofing, interior installations and furniture. Mobildom’s liability does not cover ready-made elements purchased from other manufacturers, such as: windows, household appliances, external roller shutters. In that respect, the warranty is provided by the original supplier of materials or devices, and Mobildom supports the customer and assists with reporting issues and complaint procedures.
- House insurance – the cheapest option to insure a mobile house is to treat it as a summer house, which can be additionally insured at a low price (together with your residential house or apartment). Individual insurance rates are a bit higher and, as with standard contracts, they depend on the declared estimated value of a holiday house along with the equipment and used security systems (e.g., roller shutters, alarms, cameras, fencing, installed fire sensors).
- Financing (loan, leasing) – even if a customer does not have enough funds to purchase the mobile house, Mobildom assists with obtaining additional funds as it cooperates with the largest agencies (Polish and international) that deal with intermediation and financial consulting.
- Photovoltaics – the technology is based on the conversion of sunlight energy into electricity. The owners of all-year-round houses do not need to be convinced that the installation of a photovoltaic system is the right decision. The answer is “yes” – the design of Mobildom houses makes it possible to install the panels on the roof safely.